The official residence of the Vice President of the United States sits tucked away on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory in Northwest Washington, D.C., yet it remains one of the capital’s most overlooked historic landmarks. While everyone knows the President lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, far fewer Americans can name the address where the nation’s second-highest elected official calls home. Located at Number One Observatory Circle, this stately Queen Anne-style mansion has served as the exclusive residence for vice presidents and their families since 1977, offering a unique blend of historical significance, architectural beauty, and modern security features.
Unlike the White House, which welcomes thousands of tourists annually, Number One Observatory Circle remains closed to the public, shrouded in privacy and protected by layers of security. The 19th-century home has witnessed decades of American political history, hosting foreign dignitaries, serving as the backdrop for crucial diplomatic meetings, and providing a peaceful retreat for vice presidential families navigating the demanding pressures of public service.
The Historical Evolution of the Vice President’s Residence
The story of Number One Observatory Circle begins in 1893, when architect Leon E. Dessez designed and constructed the elegant Victorian home for approximately twenty thousand dollars. Originally built to house the superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory, the residence was never intended to become one of America’s most prestigious addresses. The three-story structure was erected on thirteen acres of land that had once been part of Northview, a seventy-three-acre farm purchased by the Navy in 1880.
For its first thirty years, the residence fulfilled its intended purpose, serving as home to twelve successive observatory superintendents. However, in 1923, the trajectory of the building changed dramatically when the chief of naval operations decided the house was too impressive to leave in the hands of the superintendent. Through congressional action via Public Law 630 in 1928, the residence was officially appropriated for the chief of naval operations, and in June 1929, Admiral Charles Hughes became the first resident of what would become known as Admiral’s House.
For the next forty-five years, the residence served as home to some of the Navy’s most distinguished admirals, including Chester Nimitz, the World War II Pacific Fleet commander, and Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. During this period, the house gained a reputation as one of Washington’s most desirable residences, featuring elegant architecture and positioned on beautifully landscaped grounds away from the hustle of the city.
The Transition to Vice Presidential Use
Prior to 1974, vice presidents faced a unique housing challenge that their presidential counterparts never encountered. While presidents automatically moved into the White House upon taking office, vice presidents were responsible for securing their own accommodations in Washington. This arrangement led to a variety of living situations, from private homes to hotel suites. Vice President Calvin Coolidge famously resided at the Willard Hotel during his tenure in the early 1920s.
The arrangement became increasingly problematic as security concerns grew more complex and expensive. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Congress recognized the vulnerability inherent in having the vice president live in private, unsecured residences. The Secret Service was forced to retrofit each new vice president’s home with extensive security upgrades, communications equipment, and protective barriers. These modifications not only cost taxpayers millions but also created awkward situations when vice presidents sold their homes at substantial profits due to government-funded improvements.
In 1966, Congress took initial steps toward addressing this issue by approving construction of a new vice presidential residence on Naval Observatory grounds. However, President Lyndon B. Johnson suspended the project due to economic concerns related to the Vietnam War, and construction never resumed. The costs of securing private residences for Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey, Spiro Agnew, and Gerald Ford continued to mount. A minor scandal erupted when Agnew sold his home at a significant profit just three months after expensive government-funded security upgrades were installed.
These circumstances led Congress to pass new legislation in July 1974, designating Admiral’s House as the official temporary residence of the vice president of the United States. The law took effect upon the termination of service of the incumbent chief of naval operations. Work began that fall to prepare the residence for its new purpose, with the chief of naval operations relocating to Quarters A at the Navy Yard. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt became the last CNO to occupy the residence, a change he reportedly resented so much that it motivated his unsuccessful challenge to Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. in the 1976 Senate election.
Architectural Design and Interior Features
Number One Observatory Circle exemplifies the Queen Anne architectural style that dominated the final quarter of the nineteenth century. The design incorporates several hallmark features of this Victorian-era aesthetic, creating a residence that balances grandeur with livability. The asymmetrical floor plan breaks from traditional symmetrical designs, with rooms opening into one another rather than connecting through a central hall. This layout creates an intimate flow throughout the residence while maintaining distinct spaces for both official functions and private family life.
The residence spans approximately nine thousand one hundred fifty square feet across three stories, containing thirty-three rooms designated for various purposes. The exterior originally featured exposed terracotta brick, with wood trim painted in warm putty-gray and the wooden porch in a combination of putty-gray and white. Window frames maintained the same gray coloring, while shutters were painted olive green. However, the distinctive red brick remained visible until 1960, when the entire exterior was painted the white color that has become its trademark appearance today.
Interior Spaces and Modern Amenities
The interior layout reflects both the home’s Victorian origins and the modern requirements of hosting high-level government officials and foreign dignitaries. Key features include round turret rooms that provide distinctive architectural interest, inglenooks positioned near fireplaces for cozy gathering spaces, and broad verandas that wrap around the ground floor, offering outdoor spaces for both relaxation and formal entertaining.
The residence includes six bedrooms, accommodating the vice presidential family and visiting guests. A formal dining room serves as the setting for state dinners and official functions, while a sunlit solarium has become a favorite retreat for several vice presidential families. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden particularly enjoyed the solarium, describing it as their preferred room in the entire residence.
Additional amenities have been added over the decades to meet the evolving needs of vice presidential families. The residence features a well-appointed library suitable for both work and leisure, a garden room that connects indoor and outdoor spaces, and various reception areas designed for hosting official events. The grounds include carefully maintained gardens, walking paths through the wooded seventy-three-acre property, and spaces for outdoor recreation.
Notable Additions by Past Residents
Each vice presidential family has left their mark on Number One Observatory Circle, adding personal touches and functional improvements that subsequent residents have enjoyed. In 1991, Vice President Dan Quayle oversaw the installation of a heated outdoor swimming pool, complete with a hot tub and pool house, all funded through private donations. The addition proved so popular that President-elect Joe Biden once joked that Dan Quayle was his favorite vice president specifically because of the pool. When Biden served as vice president, he reportedly told incoming Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen that they would love the pool, and the Pences subsequently hosted annual pool parties for military veterans.
Vice President George H.W. Bush added a horseshoe pit to the grounds, reflecting his personal recreational preferences. In 2010, Vice President Biden installed a tree swing as a Valentine’s Day gift for Jill Biden, demonstrating how the residence accommodates both personal sentiment and family life. The Bidens also established the Family Heritage Garden in 2012, featuring stones commemorating all vice presidential families who have lived in the residence, including their pets. The garden includes an arbor, fountain, and hydrangea plants, creating a peaceful space for reflection and remembrance.
During their tenure, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence added a beehive to the property in 2017, building on Karen Pence’s previous experience keeping bees at the Indiana governor’s residence. The hive houses approximately twenty thousand bees and serves as an educational reminder of pollinators’ critical role in agriculture and the environment. The Pences also installed a new basketball court, adding another recreational option for residents and guests.
In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris planted a pomegranate tree at the residence to commemorate the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, continuing the tradition of vice presidents adding meaningful elements to the grounds. Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also made history by affixing a white mezuzah to the right side of the residence’s wooden entryway in October 2021, marking the first time an executive home in American history displayed this traditional sign of Jewish faith. They became the first second couple to light a menorah in the window of the official residence during Hanukkah in November 2021.
Security Features and Classified Protections
While Number One Observatory Circle may appear to be simply an elegant Victorian mansion, the residence incorporates extensive security measures befitting the home of America’s second-highest elected official. The property sits on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, a secure military installation that provides an initial layer of protection. Unlike the White House, the residence and surrounding Naval Observatory do not offer public tours, maintaining operational security and privacy for the vice presidential family.
The location itself offers strategic advantages for security personnel. Positioned approximately two and a half miles from the White House in Northwest Washington, the residence sits surrounded by a dense forest that borders the seventy-three-acre property. This natural barrier provides visual screening from Massachusetts Avenue and creates a buffer zone that enhances security while giving the property a secluded, peaceful atmosphere. The British Embassy lies directly to the south of the Naval Observatory, adding another layer of diplomatic presence and security to the neighborhood.
Post-9/11 Security Enhancements
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, security at Number One Observatory Circle was significantly upgraded. In December 2002, neighbors living near the residence reported experiencing loud blasts and construction noises that occurred several times, lasting up to five seconds. The vibrations were powerful enough to knock mirrors off walls in nearby homes. When neighbors complained and sought information about the construction, they received a classified response from the observatory’s superintendent stating that due to the sensitive nature of the work supporting national security and homeland defense, project-specific information was classified and could not be released.
The mysterious construction sparked widespread speculation about the installation of an underground bunker beneath the residence. These suspicions were seemingly confirmed in 2009 when newly inaugurated Vice President Joe Biden reportedly revealed the existence of an underground facility, often referred to as a nine-eleven bunker, beneath the house. While official details remain classified, the existence of such secure facilities has become standard for high-level government residences, providing protection and continuity of government capabilities in emergency situations.
Practical Security Considerations
Beyond classified security features, the residence benefits from being located on a military installation with controlled access points. The Naval Observatory maintains strict entry protocols, with security gates monitored by both military personnel and Secret Service agents. This arrangement allows vice presidents and their families to enjoy greater freedom of movement within the secure perimeter than they would experience at more public locations.
The decision to house vice presidents at Number One Observatory Circle has proven cost-effective compared to the previous system of securing private homes. Rather than installing new security infrastructure for each incoming vice president, the government maintains a single, well-protected residence that can be updated and maintained continuously. This approach ensures consistent security standards while allowing each vice presidential family to personalize the interior spaces to reflect their style and needs.
Life at the Vice President’s Residence
Vice presidential families consistently describe Number One Observatory Circle as offering a quality of life distinct from that of the White House. The residence provides a unique combination of official grandeur and private tranquility that allows vice presidents to balance their demanding public responsibilities with family life. Former Vice President Biden emphasized this distinction during a CNN town hall, noting that the vice president’s residence offered significantly more privacy and personal space than the White House.
The seventy-three-acre property allows vice presidential families to enjoy outdoor activities without leaving secure grounds. Biden described being able to walk out onto the porch in summer and jump into the pool, ride a bicycle around the property, and exercise without ever leaving the secure perimeter. This freedom of movement represents a stark contrast to the White House, where even the president’s movements are constantly monitored and restricted by security protocols.
Hosting and Diplomatic Functions
While serving as a private family home, Number One Observatory Circle also functions as an important venue for official government business and diplomatic entertaining. Vice presidents have welcomed countless foreign leaders and dignitaries to the residence over the decades, using the elegant spaces to conduct informal diplomacy and build relationships crucial to American foreign policy. The residence has hosted presidents of Mexico, prime ministers of Ireland for traditional St. Patrick’s Day breakfasts, and numerous other world leaders for working meals and discussions.
The Thanksgiving tradition established by the Biden family exemplifies the residence’s role in supporting military families and veterans. For eight consecutive years, the Bidens hosted Thanksgiving dinners for wounded military service members at Number One Observatory Circle, continuing a tradition of using the residence to honor those who serve the nation. The Pences continued this spirit of military appreciation through their annual pool parties for veterans.
Family Life and Personal Traditions
Each vice presidential family has adapted the residence to accommodate their unique needs and traditions. The George H.W. Bush family enjoyed the horseshoe pit and entertained frequently on the spacious grounds. Second Lady Barbara Bush was known for jogging around the property, taking advantage of the secure outdoor spaces for exercise. The Cheneys decorated the residence in Western-influenced style reflecting their Wyoming roots, using neutral color schemes of creams and greens throughout the public spaces.
The Gore family lived at Number One Observatory Circle with their four children during the 1990s, making it a true family home filled with the activity of young people. Similarly, the Bidens raised their grandchildren at the residence during their eight years there, creating lasting family memories. The Pences’ grandchildren were frequent visitors, enjoying the pool and outdoor spaces during their grandparents’ tenure.
As of January 2025, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance have moved into the residence with their three young children: seven-year-old Ewan, four-year-old Vivek, and three-year-old Mirabel. The Vances represent the first family with young children to live at the residence since Al and Tipper Gore in 1993. In a social media post, Vice President Vance expressed gratitude for the residence, acknowledging it as a beautiful home for his young family while recognizing the responsibility of serving as its stewards.
The Vice President’s Offices
While Number One Observatory Circle serves as the vice president’s home, the vice president maintains multiple office locations for conducting official business. The primary vice presidential office is located in the West Wing of the White House, positioning the vice president in close proximity to the president for daily consultations and meetings. This West Wing office ensures the vice president remains integrated into the executive decision-making process and can respond quickly to developing situations.
In addition to the West Wing office, vice presidents maintain a suite of offices in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located adjacent to the West Wing on the White House grounds. The Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the EEOB holds particular historical significance. Between 1879 and 1921, sixteen Secretaries of the Navy worked in this ornate space when the building housed the State, Navy, and War Departments.
The Ceremonial Office features remarkable Victorian-era design elements. Boston decorator and painter William McPherson designed the room, adorning its walls and ceiling with ornamental stenciling and allegorical symbols of the Navy Department, all hand-painted in typical Victorian colors. The floor incorporates mahogany, white maple, and cherry woods, while two original Belgian black marble fireplaces anchor the space. The room’s chandeliers are replicas of turn-of-the-century gasoliers that were equipped for both gas and electric power, with gas globes on top and electric lights below.
One of the office’s most interesting features is the Vice President’s Desk, part of the White House collection. Theodore Roosevelt first used this desk in 1902, and several presidents subsequently chose it for their own use, including William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. After being placed in storage from 1929 until 1945, President Harry Truman selected it for use. Beginning with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, every vice president has used this historic desk. Its users since the 1940s have signed the inside of the top drawer, creating a unique record of those who have served in the office.
From 1921 until 1947, General John Pershing occupied the Ceremonial Office as Army Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Battle Monuments Commission. His twenty-six-year occupancy was interrupted only once, when President Herbert Hoover temporarily relocated his offices there following a Christmas Eve fire in the West Wing in 1929. Since 1960, every vice president except Hubert Humphrey has used the Ceremonial Office, though since its restoration in the 1980s, it has primarily served ceremonial rather than daily working purposes.
First Residents and the Mondale Precedent
Although Congress designated Number One Observatory Circle as the official vice presidential residence in 1974, more than two years passed before a vice president actually lived there full-time. The delay resulted from a sequence of unexpected political developments that reflected the tumultuous mid-1970s political landscape. Vice President Gerald Ford would have been the residence’s first occupant, but President Richard Nixon’s resignation in August 1974 elevated Ford to the presidency before he could move in.
Ford’s vice president, Nelson Rockefeller, chose not to live at the residence despite Congress making it available. Rockefeller, a member of the famously wealthy Rockefeller family, already owned a large, well-secured private residence in Washington and preferred to remain there. However, the Rockefellers did not ignore their connection to the residence. They donated millions of dollars’ worth of furnishings to Number One Observatory Circle and used the house extensively for official entertaining, hosting a housewarming party in September 1975 when the residence formally opened for vice presidential use.
Walter F. Mondale became the first vice president to actually live at Number One Observatory Circle when he moved in with his family in January 1977. Serving under President Jimmy Carter, Mondale established the precedent that all subsequent vice presidents have followed. However, the Mondales faced challenges with their new home. According to Charles Denyer, author of the comprehensive book about the residence, the house still needed significant upgrades when the Mondales moved in, requiring ongoing improvements to make it truly comfortable for long-term residence.
The Mondales’ decision to live at the residence rather than maintain a separate private home set an important precedent for the office. By establishing Number One Observatory Circle as a true family home rather than merely an entertainment venue, Mondale demonstrated the residence’s viability as a living space for vice presidential families. His daughter Amy Mondale later reported an unusual experience at the residence, claiming she saw a ghost in her bedroom, adding to the folklore surrounding the historic home.
Renovations and Maintenance Challenges
Maintaining a structure built in 1893 while meeting the needs of modern vice presidential families requires continuous renovation and maintenance. The government has invested millions of dollars over the decades to update systems, repair aging infrastructure, and accommodate changing security requirements. In 1976, the Navy spent two hundred seventy-six thousand dollars to replace twenty-two window units with steam heat and central air conditioning, significantly improving the residence’s comfort. The leaky roof was replaced with slate in 1980, addressing a longstanding maintenance problem.
When George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush moved into the residence in 1981, they raised one hundred eighty-seven thousand dollars through private donations for new carpeting, furniture, and upholstery. This established a pattern of combining government funding for structural and systems improvements with private fundraising for decorative enhancements. The Vice President’s Residence Foundation, a nonprofit organization created in 1991, helps fund decorating expenses, allowing each vice presidential family to personalize the residence without burdening taxpayers with purely aesthetic costs.
More recently, when Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to move into the residence in early 2021, significant maintenance issues required immediate attention. Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff initially took up temporary residence at Blair House, the presidential guest residence, to allow repairs to be completed without occupants in the home. The delay, which lasted approximately two months, sparked media speculation but was ultimately attributed to necessary maintenance work.
According to Symone Sanders, Harris’s chief spokeswoman, the repairs included maintenance on the HVAC system, replacing liners in the chimneys, and refurbishing hardwood floors throughout the residence. The move was intentionally delayed to allow these repairs to be conducted more easily with the home unoccupied. The total cost of these 2021 upgrades reached approximately three point eight million dollars, reflecting the ongoing investment required to maintain this historic property in condition suitable for its important role.
The Naval Observatory Context
Understanding Number One Observatory Circle requires appreciating its unique context within the United States Naval Observatory grounds. The Naval Observatory represents one of America’s oldest scientific agencies, with roots dating back to 1830. Scientists at the facility observe the sun, moon, planets, and selected stars to determine and precisely measure time and publish astronomical data essential for accurate navigation. These functions remain critical for the Navy and Department of Defense, supporting positioning, navigation, and timing requirements for military operations worldwide.
The observatory moved from its original Foggy Bottom location to its current Massachusetts Avenue site in 1893, the same year Number One Observatory Circle was constructed. This timing was not coincidental; the residence was built specifically to house the superintendent of the newly relocated observatory. For the next three decades, observatory superintendents lived at the residence, overseeing the facility’s operations while enjoying one of Washington’s most attractive homes.
Today, the Naval Observatory continues its scientific mission despite hosting the vice presidential residence on its grounds. The facility houses the Master Clock, which serves as the United States’ official time standard. This atomic clock represents the most precise timekeeping device in the world, providing the time standard that synchronizes everything from GPS satellites to computer networks. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge timekeeping science and historic architecture creates a unique environment where past and future coexist.
The observatory’s grounds include additional historic buildings, telescopes, libraries, and research facilities. A dedicated landing area for Marine Two, the helicopter that transports the vice president, allows for rapid movement between the residence and other locations without the complications of motorcade travel through Washington traffic. This helipad represents another practical advantage of the Naval Observatory location, enabling vice presidents to respond quickly to national security situations or travel efficiently to Camp David and other destinations.
Comparison to International Vice Presidential Residences
The United States’ provision of an official residence for its vice president reflects a broader pattern among democratic nations, though implementation varies significantly. Many countries provide official residences for their deputy leaders, recognizing both the security requirements and the symbolic importance of housing these officials appropriately. However, the American approach of converting a historic military residence rather than building a purpose-designed structure differs from practices in some other nations.
The residence’s location on military grounds provides security advantages that would be difficult to replicate in a civilian neighborhood. This model has proven so successful that it has influenced thinking about official residences in other democracies. The balance between accessibility for official functions and security for private family life represents an ongoing challenge that Number One Observatory Circle navigates more successfully than many alternatives might achieve.
Media Representation and Public Perception
Despite its historical significance and architectural beauty, Number One Observatory Circle remains remarkably unknown to the American public compared to the White House. This relative anonymity stems partly from the lack of public tours and limited media access to the residence. Unlike the White House, which appears constantly in news coverage and popular culture, the vice presidential residence maintains a much lower profile.
When media coverage does occur, it typically focuses on transition periods between vice presidents or special events like holiday decorations. In 2014, HGTV provided a rare inside look at how the Bidens decorated the residence for the holiday season, showing wreaths and garlands throughout the Victorian-era home. Architectural Digest featured the residence during the Cheney administration, showcasing the Western-influenced design choices that reflected their Wyoming heritage. These glimpses into the residence’s interiors reveal how each family personalizes the space while respecting its historic character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first vice president to live at Number One Observatory Circle?
Walter F. Mondale, who served as vice president under President Jimmy Carter, became the first vice president to actually live at Number One Observatory Circle when he moved in with his family in January 1977. Although Congress designated the residence for vice presidential use in 1974, circumstances prevented earlier vice presidents from occupying it. Vice President Gerald Ford became president before he could move in, and his successor, Nelson Rockefeller, chose to live in his own private residence while using the Observatory property only for entertaining.
Can the public tour the vice president’s residence?
No, Number One Observatory Circle is not open for public tours. Unlike the White House, which offers limited public tours, the vice presidential residence remains closed to the general public for security and privacy reasons. The residence sits on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, a secure military installation with restricted access. This policy has remained consistent since the residence began serving as the vice president’s home in the 1970s.
How far is the vice president’s residence from the White House?
Number One Observatory Circle is located approximately two and a half miles from the White House in Northwest Washington, D.C. The residence sits on Massachusetts Avenue, making it easily accessible from the White House via motorcade or helicopter. The property’s location provides enough distance to offer privacy and a distinct living environment while remaining close enough for the vice president to respond quickly to situations requiring their presence at the White House.
What security features does the vice president’s residence have?
While many security details remain classified, the residence benefits from its location on the secure military grounds of the United States Naval Observatory. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, significant security enhancements were made, including the construction of what is believed to be an underground bunker beneath the residence. The property features controlled access points monitored by both military personnel and Secret Service agents, and the seventy-three-acre grounds are surrounded by dense forest that provides natural screening and buffer zones.
How much does it cost to maintain the vice president’s residence?
The government invests millions of dollars in maintaining Number One Observatory Circle through regular maintenance, system upgrades, and security enhancements. Recent renovation projects have cost several million dollars; for example, the 2021 upgrades before Vice President Harris moved in totaled approximately three point eight million dollars. Beyond government funding, the Vice President’s Residence Foundation, established in 1991, accepts private donations to help pay for decorating and furnishing expenses, allowing vice presidential families to personalize the residence without using taxpayer funds for purely aesthetic improvements.
What notable additions have vice presidents made to the residence?
Each vice presidential family has added personal touches to Number One Observatory Circle. Vice President Dan Quayle oversaw the installation of a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and pool house in 1991, funded through private donations. Vice President George H.W. Bush added a horseshoe pit to the grounds. The Bidens created the Family Heritage Garden in 2012, which includes stones commemorating all vice presidential families who have lived at the residence. The Pences added a beehive housing approximately twenty thousand bees and installed a new basketball court during their tenure from 2017 to 2021.
Understanding the vice president’s residence provides insight into how the United States government balances the practical requirements of security, the ceremonial needs of high office, and the personal needs of families serving in public roles. Number One Observatory Circle stands as a testament to American history, having evolved from a superintendent’s house to an admiral’s residence to the official home of the nation’s vice presidents. Its walls have witnessed more than a century of change while maintaining their essential character and purpose. As Vice President JD Vance and his family settle into the residence in 2025, they join a distinguished line of occupants who have called this historic mansion home, each contributing their own chapter to the ongoing story of Number One Observatory Circle.
